Honda Odyssey vs Chrysler Town & Country

[VAN]

We had a Dodge Grand Caravan and got rid of it at 115,000 miles. Besides the original A/C we paid for it again TWICE. The transmission TWICE. The RADIO (yes, even the radio) needed replacement. Also needed to replace those "safety" dinging things SEVERAL TIMES. I'd had enough and sold it (for very little) and purchased a new 2001 Honda Odyssey. 9 years later and 120,000 miles I am still loving it and driving it. Plan to keep it for several more years too.

We also own two Honda Civics and have owned Honda Accords prior (my DH puts on lots of miles). One of them even had 300,000 miles when we traded it in (still working but no A/C).

We learned our lesson and never again!

 

[eatatmidnight]

We are on our 3rd Chrysler/Dodge minivan. We had a bit of trouble with the 1993 T & C for a while, but drove it until it had over 150,000 miles on it. Bought a Dodge Grand Caravan in 03. Had only routine maintenance done on it and drove it until 130,000 miles on it. Last month we bought the T & C so I can't say anything about the longevity of it; but our experiences have been good so far.

I would also check out the transmission thing with the Hondas. My friend had 3 transmissions in the first 4 years. She gave up and bought an Expedition.

In the end, there will always be some "lemons" out there in any vehicle. Good Luck?

 

[defendthehill]

We are a two mini van family. I own a 2001 Grand Caravan and a 2005 Chevy Uplander. My Caravan has 165,000 miles on it and I have very little problems with it. Did have to fix the air con a few years ago but that is the only thing I have done to the car that is not normal stuff. My Uplander has been fantastic as well. Just turned 100K on it. GM doesn't make Uplanders anymore. But I would certainly buy another Grand Caravan.

Have fun deciding!

 

[soontobewed07]

OP- We have a KIA Sedona which we are in Love with. I swore I would never own a Kia, but my lease was up and it was on the lot and I drove to appease my DH and guess what? I LOVE LOVE LOVE it! I drove all of the others and I have to say that this by far is my favorite.
The only other van that ranked at the top of the list was the Honda, but for $10,000 less I'll take my Kia!

 

[Deb & Bill]

We have Uplanders and Caravans where I work. They are all junk. I would get rid of the Uplanders in a minute, but we bought them instead of leasing. Both ride terribly. Noisy.

We've had two Sienna. Bought one, loved and and when we replaced our other car got another Sienna. Also had an 1992 Mazda MPV that suited us well for several years, but the Toyotas were better.

Consumer Reports doesn't say much good about the T&C. Basically "a disappointment". Reliability is poor, owner cost is almost poor. Not fuel efficient. This is from the April 2010 issue. Honda Odyssey is recommended with above average reliability. One of their top rated minivans.

Looking at used vehicles, the T&C from 2000 to 2009 is rated the worst of the worst.

 

[skhermsmeyer]

ODYSSEY!! We just bought ours on Saturday and we LOVE it! With our 2 kids and 2 dogs, we needed more space than we had in our Escape. Already had a Honda Accord and we never have any problems with it. We looked at the T&C, but the Odyssey got a better safety rating and just seemed like a sturdier car. We called around to different dealers to see what price they would give us and we actually got it for 31,000. Good luck with whatever you decide!

 

[sparklynails23]

For those complaining about the T&C brakes and metal on metal, you are supposed to use ceramic brake pads. Most brake shops and non-dealer shops will only use ceramic brake pads on request.

 

[hockeyprincess]

OP- We have a KIA Sedona which we are in Love with. I swore I would never own a Kia, but my lease was up and it was on the lot and I drove to appease my DH and guess what? I LOVE LOVE LOVE it! I drove all of the others and I have to say that this by far is my favorite.
The only other van that ranked at the top of the list was the Honda, but for $10,000 less I'll take my Kia!

Thanks for this suggestion, the dealership I like to work with also is a Kia dealer so I will drive one of these as well!

Everyone else, this has been very helpful to me! Thank you so much. I hope I make the right decision for our family. BUT if the salesman doesn't call me back I'm going to be buying somewhere else! I called him 2 days ago and still haven't heard anything. He has until tonight to call or else!

 

[Just_Trish]

2007 Honda Ody owner here! I LOVE IT! I've had Fords and Chryslers and they were crap.

My sister has only owned Hondas and has never had the car troubles that other family/friends have had. Plus, my independent mechanic recommends Honda over any other vehicle. He says they never have the troubles of other brands.

The back row folds flat - you can fold all or part of it. It's Awesome!

 

[Princess Disney Mom]

I know this has been haggled here in and out many times in the past. Coming back to ask for your opinions/advice as to what to do....here's my situation:

Bought a brand new car back in July 2006. Loved it, but from day 1 had nothing but problems. Filed lemon law suit against GM and settled right before they filed bankruptcy a few years back. I got approx $2K from the settlement, not even close to what I wanted but on the advice from my attorney, took what they were offering at the time as we knew bankruptcy was looming for GM & I would have gotten nothing. Glad I did it, as if I had waited I would have got nothing. Fast forward to today... not *many* problems since the settlement, thank goodness. Brakes have been replaced once, rotors turned 3x already and needing done again... need new tires at this point. The rotor thing has got me, why do they need turned so much? I'm not hard on them or anything, I think it's just junk material on the car. Anyway....

Wanting something a little bigger with more room for the kids (we have 2 kids) so a van is not a necessity but would be nice. I drove an Odyssey last week but still looking at T & C also. Have not driven one yet. I know Honda's last for ever and ever... but we currently have a Dodge (car) and it has over 200K miles on it, and have a friend also with a Dodge with 300K+ miles on it. So this tells me that Chrysler products last as long as Honda, at least this is my opinion, wanting to know what your opinion was on these two choices?

Also I still owe $7500 approx on my car, and they are only wanting to give $6500 for trade. Given the work that needs put into it right now as it sits ($500 for tires, $200 approx for brakes) would I really be in that bad of shape to trade at this point?

Ah....decisions. I just want something that's gonna last, as this car should, but it's not! And if we make any road trips or anything, something where the kids are not sitting on top of each other and picking on each other, as they are now. I was also considering an Acadia, but again, a GM product, and not really wanting to go down that road again. ALSO not wanting a $500 per month car payment!

I have a 10 year old Odyssey and love it! I have an 8 month old Odyssey and love it more!

Had a Chrysler before the Odysseys and it lasted 4 years. A total lemon. One problem after the other.

Go with the Odyssey, no comparison.

 

[bopper]

Go to your local library and check out the April (Auto) edition of Consumer Reports. Read about the two vans.

We leased a Dodge Grand Caravan (similiar to what you are talking about) and gave it back after the 3 years were up. They were known to have transmission problems after a few years.

We leased an Odyssey next...and I ended up buying it after the lease was up because it was worth MORE than the residual value...in other words, it held onto more value than the dealers thought it would! I had that van for 10 years and only got rid of it because I moved overseas.

 

[swilshire]

I'm glad some of you have had good luck with Chryslers, but I've bought six or seven transmissions for the three we owned. And I don't have time to go through the six month ordeal we had with our last one when they installed a Canadian console on my American owned and purchased van. Their customer call center takes you to India, with the expected results.

Never, ever, ever again!

We also put two transmissions in the GMC van we owned. And people wonder why I buy manual transmissions for my personal driving.

Sheila

 

[mickeytattoo95]

I've only ever owned Hondas so I'm a little biased. Loved and miss my Accord, but need more space with the munchkins...

I'm on my second Odyssey and it's the sportiest minivan ever! Respect the van! I never wanted a van, but wasn't working when we had our 2nd child and a van was more economical than an suv. I love it! When the soccer-mom days are over I look forward to going back to the Accord!

 

[rockin_rep]

We had an Odyssey a few years ago and it was just a nightmare. The transmission, the A/C, one thing after another. I thought my DH would lose his mind because it was truly awful.

Before the Odyssey we had a Town & Country that we drove way over 120,000 and it only needed the routine maintainance. DH called it an angel LOL because it was truly wonderful.

Then after the Odyssey fiasco, we bought another Town & Country and its been absolutely perfect for two years now (knock wood! LOL)

What i like about the T & C is that it drives or handles more like a car. Our Odyssey drove more like a truck, plus i always held my breath when driving it, afraid it would break down when i had the kids and their friends with me.

Good luck OP, i know its a tough decision!

 

[creativeamanda]

I say buy neither.

I don't trust Chrysler minivans--my sister-in-law put 3 transmissions in hers in the first 100,000. Why she kept it after the 2nd tranny, I'll never know.

I saw what's between me and the road on a 2001 Odyssey when my passenger side window had to be replaced. I got rid of that car the next week.

My family has owned nothing but Ford products other than a brief sojourn with Honda. My Explorer had 147,000 miles on it when I traded it in. DH's truck has 120,000 miles on it. My 1989 truck in the yard has over 200,000 miles on it. My car has 46,000. The biggest sell for me was the 1987 T-Bird I drove in college. When my sister totalled it, it had 278,981 miles on it. Never needed a new tranny or anything. I would go and look at the Ford Edge. Nice car--plenty of options, and great gas mileage.

 

[randyolson]

My T&C is doing fine so far after being driven by DH, friends, DS and his friends. That speaks a lot for it’s durability. I second sparklynails23. I did have to ask my local garage to use ceramic brake pads. It makes a whole lot of difference.

 

[kacaju]

My family has owned nothing but Ford products other than a brief sojourn with Honda. My Explorer had 147,000 miles on it when I traded it in. DH's truck has 120,000 miles on it. My 1989 truck in the yard has over 200,000 miles on it. My car has 46,000. The biggest sell for me was the 1987 T-Bird I drove in college. When my sister totalled it, it had 278,981 miles on it. Never needed a new tranny or anything. I would go and look at the Ford Edge. Nice car--plenty of options, and great gas mileage.

I love my Ford Windstar, but the Edge is not a minivan, is it??

 

[creativeamanda]

I love my Ford Windstar, but the Edge is not a minivan, is it??

No--Ford no longer makes minivans. The Edge is the closest thing they have now.

 

[allison443]

.

I saw what's between me and the road on a 2001 Odyssey when my passenger side window had to be replaced. I got rid of that car the next week.

That doesn't sound good...what do you mean? What did you see?

 

[HeyIt'sMe]

My ILs used to have a Town & Country. My MIL was in an accident with it a few years ago - she was fine, the van was not. They replaced it with the Odyssey. My MIL is constantly saying "I hate this van...I wish I had my Town & Country back". She said the T & C was easier to manuver. I think they got the Odyssey because it cost less.